Shiv Sena bowls a googly by suggesting Mohan Bhagwat’s name as President of India

Clearly indicating the ongoing tensions between BJP and its ally Shiv Sena, the party has suggested the name of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat for the post of President of India. Political pundits said that this move by Shiv Sena seeks to get support from RSS as well as to expand its Hindu vote bank. It may be recalled that several names have come up in recent times for the post of President of India. The names doing the rounds include LK Advani and Amitabh Bachchan. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that Mohan Bhagwat as President will be the first step towards making India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

From BJP’s perspective, the top candidates for the President’s post include LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. LK Advani seems to be ahead in the race, as some sources said that this would be a good way for Narendra Modi to give ‘gurudakshina’ to Advani, who had mentored him during his early political career. However, Advani and Joshi are among the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case and await verdict. Till that court case is resolved, it would not be prudent to consider them for the post of President.